Christopher J. Logothetis, MD

Although testicular cancer is a rare disease accounting for only 1% of all male neoplasms, it represents a paradigm for cancer curability. Overall, more than 95% of patients can expect to be cured of their disease with minimal long-term toxicity. Given these expectations, it is critical that cancer care providers are familiar with the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges encountered in these rare patients. In particular, clinicians managing these patients should be aware of some of the pitfalls encountered when determining relapse. In a series of case presentations, we review the evaluation and management of patients with persistent elevation of serum tumor markers and postchemotherapy residual radiographic abnormalities.

Phase II studies of single-agent docetaxel (Taxotere) yielded promising results in advanced or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urothelium. Antitumor responses have been demonstrated in previously treated and chemotherapy-naive TCC patients, as well as in a subgroup of patients with renal impairment unable to receive traditional cisplatin-based regimens.

Docetaxel (Taxotere)-based regimens can be included among the most effective treatment options for the management of patients with advanced, androgen-independent prostate cancer. Results with docetaxel as a single agent and in combination regimens with estramustine (Emcyt) have consistently achieved a palliative response, reduced serum PSA levels by 50% or more, and produced objective responses in patients with measurable disease. In addition, encouraging survival data have been demonstrated in several phase II trials.

Neuroendocrine differentiation has been foundin 50% to 100% of prostate neoplasms of all stages. Furthermore,10% of prostatic tumors are extensively or fully differentiated.Thus, neuroendocrine-specific